Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 85: Speed And Scaly Shadows

"I’m not really afraid of snakes. I’m just curious to see if this animal training can actually unlock my potential."

Nancy narrowed her eyes at his words, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. "No problem at all. Consider it done!"

"How about you take the first test then?"

Jonas was a big-stage performer with nerves of steel. He nodded. "Alright. I'll go first and set the standard for the rest of the team."

Jonas took his position on the starting block, ready to dive.

To everyone's confusion, Nancy didn't move any of the snakes behind him. Gabriel looked suspicious. "Is there another secret weapon?"

Ryan remembered the large glass tank covered in black cloth that the staff had moved earlier. "Could it be..."

The assistant coach blew the preparatory whistle.

Just as Jonas stepped onto the starting block, Nancy suddenly lowered her voice and whispered, "Jonas, whatever you do, do not look back!"

The warning acted like a hook, snagging his curiosity. Human instinct won out, and he couldn't help but steal a glance over his shoulder.

A four-meter-long saltwater crocodile was charging out of the athlete's tunnel like a lightning bolt!

Its iron-gray back, covered in jagged scutes, glistened coldly under the stadium lights. Its amber slit pupils were locked onto him with predatory intensity. The massive maw, lined with over sixty serrated teeth, snapped open, filling the air with the unmistakable, musky scent of a reptile.

Most terrifying was its speed. Its thick limbs moved with incredible frequency, and its tail lashed against the floor like a steel whip. Within seconds, it had closed the distance to within three meters!

Tweet!

The starting whistle pierced the air.

Jonas dove into the pool like a man possessed, his arms churning the water like a propeller. As he hit the water, he could swear he felt the vibration of the crocodile’s heavy body slamming against the deck behind him.

The crocodile’s long snout reached the very edge of the pool.

Inside the lane, Jonas was moving as if he had an outboard motor strapped to his back. His brain went blank; the only thought remaining was to accelerate. He felt as though the tip of that serrated snout had just brushed against his heels. The sensation of those rough, uneven scales was enough to make his scalp tingle with terror.

Jonas swam with a savage desperation, losing all sense of time and space. His blood and nervous system sent only one command: Move your legs! Swim or die!

The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile, with males reaching up to seven meters. It didn't even need to enter the water to be effective; its mere presence, jaws agape, provided maximum intimidation. Its long tail lashed into the water, sending a spray of droplets into the faces of the stunned teammates watching from the sidelines.

Everyone stood frozen, their faces pale. This was a man-eater. The sheer scale of the beast was overwhelming.

The standard pool for the World Championships is 50 meters, meaning the 100-meter dash requires a turn. While an adult saltwater crocodile is fast, it isn't ideal for "active coaching" inside the water. However, on land, it can sprint 50 meters in about 15 seconds—considerably faster than Jonas could swim.

As Jonas desperately pushed toward the far wall to escape the monster, Nancy guided "The Glutton" along the deck to the other side.

Just as Jonas reached the turn, thinking he had finally put some distance between himself and the predator—

He looked up to find Nancy and the crocodile already waiting for him at the wall.

Nancy snapped her fingers and gave a cheerful smile. "Surprise!"

"Your 'Croc-and-Go' delivery has arrived early!"

The Glutton obligingly snapped his massive jaws, his rows of nail-like teeth flashing in the sun as if to say, Give me a five-star review, or I'll give you a one-star bite.

"Holy—!"

Jonas nearly lost his mind. He touched the wall and performed a frantic flip-turn, kicking off with everything he had for the return leg. He didn't dare relax for a second. The adrenaline that had just begun to dip surged right back into his system.

Adrenaline: Boss, I'm back on the clock!

Jonas’s heart rate, which had just started to steady, spiked to 180. At this moment, he wasn't just swimming; he was fighting for his life.

The 100 meters was over in a blur.

When Jonas finally finished and collapsed against the edge of the pool, he looked like he had seen a ghost. He stayed in the water, looking utterly soulless. Not a single teammate reached out to pull him up. They were all too busy staring at the coach’s stopwatch, frozen in disbelief.

Nancy, feeling a bit sorry for him, reached out a hand.

Jonas saw her face and recoiled, splashing backward as if she were a demon. "Stay away from me!"

Nancy sheepishly withdrew her hand. Was she really that scary?

"Don't be afraid. I’ve already sent the crocodile back."